How to Remove the Torsion Bar on Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

The torsion bar on a Vehicles supports the weight of the front end of the Vehicles and acts similar to a coil spring. Over time, these torsion bars can lose some of their springy quality, causing the front suspension to sag and the Vehicles to ride rough. To fix the problem, the torsion bars can either be readjusted Vehicles the weight, or can be removed and replaced with a new pair. To do this, you first have to remove the old torsion bars.

Park the Chevrolet K1500 on a level surface and step on the parking brake pedal to set the brake. Lift the front of the truck with the jack and put the jack stands below the front suspension, set high enough that the front wheels are off of the ground. Lower the jack so the weight of the truck is supported by the stands.

Locate the torsion bars, which run down the length of the vehicle and connect the lower control arms to the torsion bar crossmember. Install GM Tool J-36202 onto the torsion bar keys, which are located in the torsion bar crossmember that runs the width of the vehicle and is just below the cab of the vehicle. Tighten the tool down using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket.

Remove the torsion bar bolt using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Loosen GM Tool J-36202 slowly with the ratchet. Push the torsion bar through the lower control arm. Remove the other torsion bar in the same fashion as the first.

Take the torsion bar adjusting arms off of the torsion bars with your hands. Unbolt the torsion bar crossmember with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Pull the crossmember off of the frame. Slide the torsion bars towards the rear of the vehicle and out of the lower control arm. Take them away from the vehicle.

Items you will need

Jack

Jack stands

Tire iron

GM Tool J-36202

1/2-inch ratchet and socket set

How to Remove a Torsion Bar From a Dakota

Raise up the Dakota using the jack and set the frame on four jack stands. Remove the two front tires using the tire iron and move them out of the work space.

Locate the torsion-bar cross-member in the middle of the truck, almost directly underneath the doors. Locate the torsion-bar adjusting bolt on the cross-member. Connect the air hose on the air compressor to the air impact wrench. Remove the torsion-bar adjusting bolt using the air impact wrench and impact sockets.

Pull the torsion bar towards the tailgate of the truck to free it from the lower control arm. Then pull the torsion bar towards the lower control arm but underneath it to free the bar from the torsion-bar key in the cross-member.

Items you will need

Jack

Jack stands

Tire iron

Air compressor and air line

1/2-inch air impact wrench

1/2-inch impact sockets

How to Remove the Torsion Bar on an Ford F-150 4WD

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a socket wrench and raise the F-150 with a jack.

Place the puller tool on the torsion bar adjuster arm. There is a small dimple on the center of the arm. That is where the puller tool should be installed.

Rotate the puller bolt until all of the tension is removed from the torsion bar adjuster arm. Remove the arm nut with a socket wrench, then remove the puller.

Pull the torsion bat forward, through the lower control arm, and remove the torsion bar adjuster arm.

Pull the torsion bar out from the underside of the F-150. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get it completely out. Once the torsion bar is removed, install a replacement if necessary, then reattach the torsion bar adjuster arm and the wheels, then lower the truck.